The Tacoma Central Labor Council called for a general strike in February 1919, to act in sympathy with the general strike organized by the Central Labor Council of Seattle. After an initial delay, a general strike order was issued for Tacoma on Thursday, February 6, 1919, and lifted on Sunday, February 9. Tacoma's strike was less successful than Seattle's, due to the decision of many prominent local unions not to involve themselves, but participation was nevertheless widespread enough to have a significant impact on the city.

The Tacoma Central Labor Council was established in November of 1907, and immediately affiliated itself with the American Federation of Labor. It was a revival of the Tacoma Trades Council, an organization that had existed from 1890 to September of 1907 (and was affiliated with the A. F. of L. for much of that time). The Tacoma Central Labor Council merged with the Pierce County Industrial Union Council, which was affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations, to form the Pierce County Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO) in 1957.